The presence of Liquid Crystal Monomers in house dust and public environments

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are byproducts that can be expected in LCD screens and they have been found to be released into the environment due to breakage and usage of LCD-products. The presence of these substances in other pieces of technology is likely but unknown. They are a new type of potentially hazardous environmental pollutants that has yet to be fully researched. Some LCMs that have been studied show tendencies for the ability to bioaccumulate and have possible effects on different organs in living organisms. This study serves to research if LCMs can be found in dust in Swedish homes, screen repair-shops, phone-shops, or electric areas at a recycling station. For this purpose, dust samples were collected at the mentioned locations. Swipe samples from screens located in these environments were also collected. The samples were later analyzed with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. LCMs were found in 6 out of 10 dust samples and in 3 out of 11 swipe samples. The swipe samples in which LCMs were found were not from home environments. Some LCMs seemed to be more common and some LCMs were more common in the same types of environments.